Chapter 3 - The One

Part 1.

7:55 am

Buzz…..Buzz…

>Don’t make me wait too long. I might change my mind.<

Has was thrilled when he saw the incoming message from Atika. Yessss"!…….she's here..”, Hans bersorak kegembiraan and grabbed his sports jacket. He made sure only the night light is on before leaving the apartment.

Dari jauh Hans nampak Tika leaning against her car and smoking a cigarette. .

Sedari tadi Tika tidak perasan yang Hans sudah menghampirinya,”Good morning precious.” Hans menyapa sambil mencium pipi Tika. How many cigarettes has it been?”

Cepat-cepat Tika mencampak rokok ke bawah dan mematikan puntung rokok tersebut sebab segan dengan Hans yang tidak merokok, “Morning…sorry about that….waiting makes me nervous".

Hans tersenyum selamba mendengar alasan Tika.“Let’s take your car into the basement and park in my parking spot. Then we’ll take my car to Casabrina, ok?", Hans suggested. Tika mengangguk setuju.

"Nissan Kicks, nice car and memang suitable dengan tuan empunya. You drive. Come, lets go". Hans mengajak without wasting time. "Hmmm….", Tika menjawab malas. Mereka menaiki kereta and terus menuju ke basement with Hans direction.

Tika kau masih ada peluang untuk back out.....

Hans menyuruh Tika terus belok ke kiri and directly park in the empty spot on the right. Han terus turun dari kereta Tika dan mengahmpiri sebuah Nissan Murano parked just right next to her spot. Hans sudah menunggu  di tepi kereta sambil membuka pintu untuk Tika. Hans held Tika’s hand and lead her into the Nissan Murano so she is comfortably seated in it.

So Hans and I have one thing in common – we both have the passion for Nissan cars.

Once Hans is in the car he asked, "Babe, are we ready?", Hans bertanya sambil  mengenakan seatbelt.

"Yeah, I guess so....don’t worry about me. Just be careful with your driving. I want to arrive home in one piece", sambil menjelir lidah kearah Hans.

"Wah bossy nya", tangan Hans hinggap ke hidung Tika and she tried to brush him off.

"No, no you tak boleh mengelak dari I, anyway kereta ni auto-lock from the driver’s side ya….you tak boleh nak ke mana-mana…."jeling Hans. "But I am really glad that you are here with me and I’ll show you all the work I’ve done with Casabrina", lalu menghidupkan enjin kereta.

So do I Hans, so do I.....

"By the way, this is the same perfume you put on last Saturday semasa kita jumpa di Avillion kan?" Hans menghampiri  telinga Tika.

"Yes, it is….", Tika shivered sambil menjawab. She felt the warmth breeze from Hans breath. Minty. He definitely takes care of his hygiene. Hihihihi.....

         

"What is it called?", Hans masih tidah berganjak…. "(Smelling) Hmmmm....I like it…..it has a pleasant scent". Tika rasa meremang bulu tengkuknya.

"Eerrkk,…It is not a popular brand so jarang orang tahu about this perfume, its called Champs Elysee by Clarin. Kalau ada jual pun mostly at duty free shops". Tergagap-gagap Tika explained and quickly turn to her left giving a last look at her car in Hans parking spot sambil melirikkan matanya memerhatikan Hans dari rear view mirror.

Nakal sungguh Hans and very aggressive this morning.

Part 2.

Sepanjang perjalanan melalui Karak Highway untuk ke Bentong, lagu-lagu Maliq and d’Essential menemani mereka.

Credit to Warner Music Indonesia and You Tube

Sepenuh rasa aku menginginkanmu

aku di sini untuk memilikimu

katakan bila itu bukan maumu

karna ku kini tak dapat berpindah ke hati yg lain

getaran jiwa mengungkapkan maksudnya

aku di sini merasakan indahnya

katakan bila engkau bukan untukku

karna ku kini tak dapat berpindah ke hati yg lain

Lady i know u're the one for me

lady u're the one i need

it keeps me going on and on to love you

i give u my soul for u to love too

Lady i know u're the one for me

i know u're the one i need

it keeps me going on and on to love you

i give u my soul for u to love too

benarkah bila aku pun merasakan ada getaran itu

meskipun ku mengerti engkau di situ masih meragu

untuk kau buka semua ruang untukku

namun ku akan setia menanti hingga kau yakini

loving u loving u

it's all i wanna do

"Just pick a wild guess, do you know what Casabrina means?", Hans bertanya.

Tika nodded. Hans semacam tak percaya, "oh really? and that is….", sambil menyandar sikunya di atas side arm rest menghampiri Tika,

Tika menjawab, "Sabrina's House".

"So you've heard of Casabrina before?", tanya Hans pelik.

Tika senyum melirik…."I bet you mesti curious macamana I tahu? Hah, I will let you know once we arrive nanti. But not now….", Tika menguji kesabaran Hans.

"Alright….we'll see about that...looking forward to your explanation", sambil menjeling bracelet charm yang dipakai oleh Tika. "You like it?"

"Hmmm….excuse me? Like what?", Tika bertanya sambil memandang tepat ke muka Hans. Hans, my blood is rushing to my head now, ahhh.....lalu mengalihkan pandangan ke luar. 

"The bracelet?", Hans menjawah soalan dengan another soalan.

Tika membelek bracelet pemberian Hans semalam. "It’s beautiful and kalau I tak suka I tak pakai this morning. I really appreciate it very much and if I did not thank you enough yesterday, Thank you Hans". Hans tersenyum and spontaneously he held Tika’s hand and kiss.

"Don’t mentioned it. I'm glad you like it a lot. I just want to make my woman happy. But seriously, I tak tahu sangat your taste. However, selama ni I notice you memang suka pakai banyak bracelet on your left hand. What else to give if not another bracelet to add to your collection". 

"You pun apa kurang, I know you wear them too….", Tika said bersahaja.

"So you notice ya?", Hans asked.

"Of course dah dua tahun Hans and I did not expect this day to happen". Tika menjawab sambil jari jemarinya membetulkan rambut.

"So tell me what’s your favourite food Hans?, Tika menukar topic perbualan.

"You….." tanpa teragak-agak Hans menjawab….

"Me? I tanya you dulu...", Tika menjeling ke arah Hans.

"No what I meant ..... you are my favorite food and my vitamin, Tika". Hans replied. Tika menelan air liurnya.

"You marah ke? Di dalam kereta ini tak boleh marah-marah nanti kena jual"…Hans mengusik Tika and muka Tika masam mencuka. She slapped Hans on his arm…lantas Hans menangkap tangan Tika with his left hand. She gave a struggle to release her hand but Hans was way more powerful.

"Hans, sakit la and please keep your eyes on the road", Tika mengarah Hans.

"Than, jangan pukul I nanti I menjerit kuat-kuat ….". Hans said sambil ketawa.

"Dah la malas I nak tanya and don’t expect me to ask you anything else…..", Tika buat-buat merajuk.

"OOOooooo…my precious merajuk",….sambil melepaskan tangan Tika….."Ok, I am not a picky eater asal boleh makan dan halal fine with me. I try as much possible to avoid red meat because I like to keep myself fit for trilathons and Iron Man competitions, so I kena juga jaga apa I makan. But once in a while I do treat myself with good quality burgers…", jelas Hans.

"Hmmmm….rugi la macam tu…..I love lamb…..", belum sempat Tika menhabiskan ayatnya Hans interrupted, "No wonder la you suka merajuk. Kambing memang suka merajuk…..", Hans terkekek-kekek ketawa….

"You are so cruel Hans", Tika merenung tajam ke arah Hans dan mencubit manja peha Hans. Hans wind down his car screen and shouted, "Tolong, tolong, tolong ada kambing mengamuk…", they both laugh…

"Menyampah!", Tika said teragak-agak untuk memukul Hans.

"Ala you cakap je yang you menyampah but in actual fact you are infatuated with me kan…?"Hans explained in his defense.

"Infatuated with you? Puh leezzee…bukan ke you yang merayu-rayu hari tu,…that’s my heart beating. Yearning for your approval to love me back….", perli Tika.

Hans terdiam.…..masing-masing diam melayan perasaan. Guilt perhaps?

Part 3.

Hans merenung dan melurutkan jari telunjuknya di sekeliling muka Tika,"Babe, we're here...", Hans mengejut Tika yang terlena tadi....Tika terkejut dan terus merenung muka Hans which was inches closed to hers, "I am sorry I fell a sleep", she whispered.....

"No worries, as he moved to an upright sitting position......I take it as a compliment sebab you trust my driving sampai tertidur. Tak sampai hati I nak wake you up. You know I could have taken advantage over you tadi....but I didn't", usik Hans.

"Hans,.....", suara Tika sangat manja....."Shut-up!", lalu Tika keluar dari kereta dan menghempas pintu kereta. Dia membetul-betulkan rambut dan bajunya....di bukanya pintu kereta semula,..."I forgot my handbag...."dan slam semula pintu kereta.

Hans tergelak.

Tika berhenti dan memandang sekelilingnya.....unggas berbunyi.....burung berteriakan....bunyi daun-daun bergesel di tiup angin.......So, akhirnya I am here…..Casabrina. Yes memang memukau.

Villa Aranya

Dari kejauhan tersergam indah 2 buah rumah yang berseni bina ala Bali. Tika kagum keunikan setiap private bungalow. Ada berkonsepkan high timber pillars dan ada yang berbumbungkan rumput. Tika tidak sabar untuk bertemu dengan tuan empunya resort ini.

Villa Amertani

Hans berlagak seperti tour guide, "Ikan-ikan di dalam kolam tu mostly bila mature ditangkap dan dijual di pasar-pasar dan restaurant berdekatan".

Tika hanya mengiyakan saya penerangan dari Hans….dan sekali-sekali memandang Hans yang begitu teruja denagan fakta-fatka yang dikongsikan..

Bunyi alam semulajadi sungguh menenangkan. Memang betul apa yang Hans cerita last night....indeed it is peaceful.

"Do I sound boring?"Hans bertanya.

"You are about to get there....., but anyway I want to see your work, your master piece…show me your best work, Mr Architect", Tika mengusik Hans.

"Since I am a very patient man I am willing to forgive you......alright Babe, come lets us walk a bit.". Tika membiar Hans  merangkul pinggang nya semasa mendaki to the main house. Sampai sahaja di atas, Tika sangat asyik melihatkan the intricate hand wood carving on each design. Dia meninggalkan Hans di belakang sambil berjalan-jalan memerhatikan pemandangan sekeliling.

"C’est beau, c’est beau…..", Tika berbisik. 

Hans memerhatikan Tika dari jauh....dan.....dia tersenyum panjang.....

"Tika! Come I want you to meet…..", Tika turned and saw a very familiar figure and held out her hand to shake hand and said, "Hi Felix. So this is where you have been hiding. Such a beautiful place you got here".

Hans tercenggang dan memerhatikan tingkah laku Tika. Mungkin dia tengah memikirkan macamana aku kenal Mr. Felix? 

"Oh my God, Tika? How long has it been and you know Hans? You guys are working together?", kata Mr Felix sambil memeluk kuat Tika.

"It is nice to see you again Felix . How’s Mrs Tee and Sabrina?", Tika menjeling ke arah Hans yang masih terpingga-pingga.

"Hahaha…they are fine. Sabrina is in the States continuing with her study. Eh…come, come in we’ll have some tea. Hai ya lama tak jumpa you Tika", sambil tangan menepuk-nepuk bahu Tika.

Tika menghampiri Hans dan berbisik, "Casabrina di ambil sempena nama anak Felix, Sabrina", dan dia berlalu pergi.

Hans menarik lengan Tika and said, "you kenakan I ye…?" Tika menjelir lidah….dengan bersikap keanak-anakan. Tika tersenyum puas. Rasakan. Yesssss.....

"Sure Felix, we’re right behind you.....". Hans mempercepatkan langkah lalu mengenggam jari jemari Tika. Tika did not resist.

Mr Felix menyambung, "How'd you guys know each other?" You guys dating? Tika lalu melepaskan genggaman tangan Hans.

Hans menjawab, "It's a long story Felix....".

"Ok...Ok...later you tell me. Tika, do you know Yoka Sara is here?"

"Really?", Tika buat-buat terkejut. Hans menjeling sambil mengelengkan kepala kerana dia rasa di permain-mainkan oleh Tika.

"Yes, he arrived yesterday. Ah,..there he is. Yoka Sara come, meet my ex-staff, Tika. She worked for me for so many years at Hi-Tech Engineering".

Tika shook hands with Yoka Sara, "It’s good to see you again Bapak Yoka". He nodded and smile. "Jadi sekarang kerja di mana?, Bapak Yoka bertanya.

Tika menjawab dengan pendek, "Di Cyberjaya".

"Oh iya, Cyberjaya. Aku pernah dengar maybe one day you can show me around there...", Tika melirik tersenyum, "Boleh, anyway Hans is staying in Cyberjaya,....

Bapak Yoka Sara menambah, "Bagus, then the both of you can tell me more about the housing development in Cyberjaya, hahahaha...." semua terlerai ketawa. Tak lari dari cerita business...

They talked for a while and Hans came over to whisper that he’ll be in a short meeting. "Don’t go far, I want to be able to see you from where I am", sambil mengenyitkan mata. 

Tika selamba saja berjalan lalu....I do whatever I please....aku berbisik di dalam hati.

Part 4.

Jam di tangan telah menunjukkan hampir 1 petang and I haven't seen Hans since he excused himself for the short meeting. It has been 2 hours. Tika is restless now since Hans initially agreed to return to Cyberjaya by lunch.

Sambil berjalan memerhatikan ruang-ruang di dalam banglow, Tika came upon a unique space as though she's in a cave. Dia menghampiri dinding yang diperbuat dari bongkah pecahan batu yang di tumbuhi pokok-pokok tumpang.  Sambil memejamkan mata dia meleretkankan jari-jari halusnya pada dinding dengan perlahan seolah-olah menghayati 'Chi' with the sound of running water in the background.....agak unik konsep open air shower.

"Simply amazing.....", kata-kata tersebut keluar dari mulut Tika.

Open air shower

"Feels good kan?", Tika tersentak mendengar suara Hans....but she continued running her fingers across the wall.

"Wow this concept is so cool....can you feel the energy that flows in here? Blending every living thing and in nature", bisik Tika sambil tersenyum.

Hans yang sedari tadi perlahan mengekori dari belakang berbisik di telinga Tika, "Kan...?, I rasa right this moment, my life is complete...." Tika berhenti lalu memalingkan mukanya memandang Hans. Tanpa segan silu lagi Tika slide her right arm around Hans waist and Hans gave her a squeeze. They stood there memerhatikan air membasahi bumi....

"Come, I'll show you other parts of the house. ", Hans mengajak Tika sambil mencium dahi Tika.

We walked through a large living area housed in glass from floor to ceiling. "Here, it reveals the wild beauty of the surrounding rainforrest. You can also enjoy panoramic views of distant mountains.", explained Hans and pointed towards the mountain far ahead.

He continued on, "Sini bahan-bahan and tenaga buruh dibawa masuk dari Bali. You should know better since you were working with Felix during Casabrina's on going construction. Balcony di hujung sana di perbuat dari teak wood".

"Di sana pula, Villa Aranya sesuai untuk honeymooners and romantic getaways. It is secluded and has the sense of timeliness surrounded by luxuriant secret garden, a sparkling pool which creates intimate settings". Panjang lebar explanation Hans....I can see this is what he loves to do....

"You were right Hans. This place is peaceful dan kita boleh lupakan semua problem kan?" Tika memandang Hans and Hans nodded.

"Yes Babe,....you complete me........", Han berbisik. Tika membalas pelukan Hans dan memejamkan mata..........